Hot Topics:

Boulder police chief hopefuls outline visions of leadership

Four internal candidates apply to replace Mark Beckner

By Alex Burness

Camera Staff Writer

Posted:
06/11/2014 11:05:10 PM MDT

Updated:
06/11/2014 11:06:05 PM MDT

Boulder police chief candidate Kurt Weiler speaks during a public presentation Wednesday by the four internal finalists for the job at the Boulder Public Library. The other three finalists are Carey Weinheimer, center, Curtis Johnson and Greg Testa, right. (Jeremy Papasso / Daily Camera)

The four men vying to replace Mark Beckner as Boulder's next chief of police presented their visions Wednesday for establishing trust between the city and its law enforcement, addressing homeless and transient populations, policing University of Colorado partygoers and more.

Beckner retired in April, and Deputy Chief Greg Testa took over for him on an interim basis. Testa is now joined by Cmdrs. Curtis Johnson, Kurt Weiler and Carey Weinheimer on the list of potential replacements, which City Manager Jane Brautigum said was deliberately limited to internal candidates.

Prior to taking questions from the roughly 50-person audience at the Boulder Public Library, the finalists each gave 10-minute presentations on what they consider the most important issue the department now faces in "community policing."

"I think it's really how we recruit officers, how we hire them and how we evaluate their performance," said Weiler, the first to speak.

Weiler, who's been a Boulder policeman for 30 of his 34 years in the field, described a solid personnel base as the foundation of vigilant, trustworthy law enforcement. If he's hired as chief, he'd look to expand the department's recruitment process to include social media, which he said is "where our candidates of the future are going to be."

Weinheimer, a 28-year law enforcement veteran and a CU graduate, said two of the biggest problems facing Boulder police are the city's homeless and transient residents, and how to work with that population's high tendency toward mental illness.

Advertisement

"I think we need to redefine the roles of both the police and the community in addressing these large society problems," he said.

In general, he added, "The major problems we face are bigger than just police issues. ... If I'm the chief, I'll be looking for your help."

Johnson said that, if chosen for the role, he'd prioritize rebuilding the faith in police that some in Boulder may have lost after the much-publicized debacle in which two officers conspired January 2013 to kill a beloved neighborhood elk.

"I know I have the ability to help restore your trust in our organization," said Johnson, who's been with Boulder police for the last 22 years.

He said he'd also concentrate on communicating more efficiently with other city agencies.

"Many of them have no idea what to do when they see something that needs police intervention," Johnson said. "We need to educate them and help them take some ownership in creating an atmosphere of public safety for the whole community."

Testa, who's been acting as chief for the last few months of his 26-year tenure with Boulder police, described his vision of the city as having safer public spaces, where theft, assault and drug use are less pervasive.

On the topic of homelessness in Boulder, Testa said he'd aim to treat that population with humanity and dignity, while being vigilant about the threat it can pose to public safety.

He added that he'd "reach out to other law enforcement agencies who've done well" on that front, and would be open to exploring new methods.

After the presentations, the four candidates were asked their sense of the perception that Boulder police clamp down unnecessarily on CU students, particularly as it pertains to underage drinking.

"We want to prevent tragedies," Weinheimer said, in a stance more or less echoed by the other three. "We want to prevent riotous behavior. So we need to strike a balance between keeping the city safe and letting the students be the adults that they'll become."

As to whether Boulder police officers should be required to live within city limits, the panel delivered a resounding "no."

"The reality is that there's many reasons why folks can't," Testa said.

The candidates will be interviewed today by city leadership, Boulder Police Officers Association and Boulder Municipal Employees Association representatives, as well as police personnel from outside organizations.

City of Boulder spokeswoman Sarah Huntley said Wednesday a hire would be made no sooner than next week.

Boulder is pretty good at producing rock bands, and by "rock," we mean the in-your-face, guitar-heavy, leather-clad variety — you know, the good kind. For a prime example, look no farther than BANDITS. Full Story